The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-01-07
rYrEnNAL nlpnoyr,rNr LAND ruNp

Total. 81 ,5os'627 IL
These statements show an increase in these
funds in two years OF 81. 3S2, 6l0 81. and an az
| grcgate accumulation OF 50. 6ol, 637 IA There
| land FROM which these funds are derived lesti-
Ina;ing the fun grant 70 common schools at
ss6ooi grant 20 s.sS asres In the nniyersitv
| grant, and ia, 3l7 IN the internal Improvement
| land grant. 1t seems likely that former esti-
funds win bo realized. and that when ali the
lands are disposed Of tho permanent school
fund will amount TO fully $4,000, 900. the uni
ternal Improvement land fund to nearly 49,
COG, 1000.
STATE DEBT.
The Indebtedness OF the state is represented
by the following issues of bonds:
Railroad adjustment bonds, issue
OF 1891. due In twenty and redeem
able in ten wears, 4ia per cent SIS. 965, o0O
Revenue bonds, Issue OF 1883. re-
deemable at the pleasure of the
state, 4 q per cent 6l,O0C
Total. ......................... "a ,o26. OoO
The state debt has been reduced i'm two wears
$457 coo by the Idemption Of $3.50, 600 Of rev,
adjustment bonds, held by the internal i'm
provement land fund. The balance Of the rev.
enue bonds $el,0oo, will 9 redeemed from the
nal improvement land fund IL practically sink
ing fund for the redemption Of the railroad adj
tustment bonds That fund now holds securities
10 the amount of 81 ,52S,627 The balance of
lands belonging TO this fund will, when sold,
add more than a million dollars to this acoumu-
lHtion, and thus reduce the state debt due with
out taxation TO less than ~, 100000.
EDUCATION.
The superintendent Of public instruction re-
ports that in all departments Of our educa-
tiond system there has been uninterrupted
prosperity. he. however, notes some detects
which detract from it's harmonious working.
and rppOnnmPndS m that hahalf Rpch ~
legislation will secure its more perfect orgRn-
ization. wouid especially call attention TO his
Recommendation that the common school organi-
zation be changed from the district TO tho town
ship plan. The advantages of this change are
succtnctly set for in the superintend-
eut,s report, and In , his conclusions /
that the school dis net or township furnish
text books free TO all pupils is in the line of pol
icy OF the state that our common schools shall
be MADE FREQ schools" in the fullest significa-
tion az the term. From a table in the suprein-
tendent' rseport, showing the general distribu-
ton OF the expense o! instruction. IL appears
that with a much higher rate OF local taxation
the cGuntry districts OF the state expend less
Der scholar than those in the cities and towns.
Notwithstanding the children in the latter re-
ceiye over third longer term OF instruction
each year. These facts prove that the proDertv
OF the country is bearing an inequitablc burden
or taxatien for educational purposes. When We
are reminded too, that the state is aiding by
direct tax all other departments OF education
but Is giving directly no such aid to the common
schools" 1.-THE present one-mill tax being simply
compulsory local taxi the thought Is sug-
gested that We are neglecting the great source
OF education for the people. The super
intendents accommodation In this con-
nection that a special tax Of one mill be levied
for tho benefit OF the common schools of the
state to be added to the present apportionment
from the income Of the permanent fund, Is COM
manded to your favorable consideration. The
theory of our system Is that the greatest posi-
bic facility for an education shall be offered
every child in the state. The greatest burdens
and the vices with which it is associated, and
for their relief preventive influences which edu-
cation provides are surely more effective than
the curative measures furnished bv our retorma-
tory and penal institutions. The education of
the masses is limited to the instruction received
in the common schools. Comparatively few
reach the high schools or the university. It is
the first duty Of the state. therefore, and con-
ducive to its highest interest TO foster and de-
velop our system OF common schools. They are
the schools of the people, and the burden of their
support should be borne by all the people
equally, or as nearly so as practicable.
There has been expended for the support OF
schools for the past two years Sc. l22.O77. as
follows:
For common schools. .. 50, 62o. 721 $3.l9s.s15
For state university. S93s5 aSl56
For normal schools. $4,000 $4,000
For teachers Institutes. 6,oO0 6,O0O
Total. ...............$ 81 76z1o $a35L97l
The enrolment in the public schools was
225, 2l5 In 1885 and 243, O59 in 1886
The state university had 80 students in
1885 and 4o6 in 1886. Under the able admin
istra.lon or President Northrop the university
Is making substantial progress in all respects.
Its efficiency is, however, somewhat impaired
by the lack OF buildings required In some OF It's
departments. The wants OF the institution in
this respect are fully set forth in the report OF
the board Of regents Additional appropriations
To the amount II $50. 900 are required to pro-
vide the structures needed and tho regents
make an earnest appeal to your body for that
sum. IL must be the policy of the state to make
her university complete institution, and one
that will compare with the best Of its class in
the country. 1t cannot reach the rank OF those
after which IL Is modelled unless thoroughly
heretofore responded promptly to the wants Of
the university. and do not doubt it will do so
In the present case. It Is the JUDGMENT of the
regents, as ex pressed TO me. that the approprta-
lions might be distributed over period Of three
years. or $50, 600 per annum, without embarass-
Inent to the university. There was expended
Tor new buildings during the past year tho sum
OF S3s. coo.
For current expenses $40, 900 per annum will
be REQUIRED for the ensuing two years.
The high schools OF the state have increased
to 50 and their enrolment to 3,195. In the
character OF their work and the results accom-
plished. these schools have made mvch progress
and give ample promise for the future.
Tho normal schools have increased their en-
rollment until the capacity OF the Mtnkato and
ST. Cloud buildings have become insufficient for
the accommodation Of the pupils in attendance,
and appropriations are asked for their enlarge
ment.
The requirements of the three schools in addi-
dItion to the annual appropriations for their
support as reported by the board. are as follows
Winona Mankato. st. Cloud.
En- hnt